11.6%: Silicon Valley's Smoking Rebels
Some tech founders are embracing cigarettes as a way to build relationships and cope with stress, despite the US smoking rate plummeting to 11.6% in 2022
In a surprising trend, some tech founders and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley are turning to cigarette smoking as a way to take breaks, build relationships, and cope with the stresses of the industry. This comes despite the declining rate of smoking in the US, which has dropped from over 40% in 1966 to 11.6% in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stephen Campbell, the 27-year-old cofounder of startup Revamp AI, is one such example. He credits cigarettes with helping him land a major deal with a Chinese tech company, not by directly influencing the deal, but by facilitating a personal connection with the company's representatives. The initial meeting was stressful due to a language barrier, but things changed after a night of Chinese barbecue, rounds of Baijiu, and countless cigarettes.
Campbell believes that cigarettes have helped him meet new people, including his neighbors in San Francisco's Rincon Hill neighborhood and the European tenants in his office building. He acknowledges the health risks associated with smoking but sees the benefits of taking breaks and having conversations with strangers.
The rate of smoking in the tech industry is especially rare today, with many engineers opting for alternatives like vapes and zyns. However, some tech founders and entrepreneurs are bucking this trend, using cigarettes as a way to build relationships and cope with stress.
## Why it matters The trend of tech founders embracing cigarette smoking is noteworthy, given the declining rate of smoking in the US. It highlights the unique culture and pressures of the tech industry, where founders and entrepreneurs are often under immense stress and pressure to perform. While the health risks associated with smoking are well-documented, the social benefits of smoking are also evident, at least for some individuals.
The fact that some tech founders are turning to cigarettes as a way to build relationships and cope with stress raises questions about the broader culture of the tech industry. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see whether this trend continues or if alternative methods of stress relief and socialization become more popular.
